Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of
injury should wear a mouth protector. Sports like basketball, baseball,
gymnastics, and volleyball all pose risks to your gum tissues, as well
as your teeth. We usually think of football and hockey as the most
dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries
occur in basketball and baseball.
A mouth guard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions,
cerebral hemorrhages, incidents of unconsciousness, jaw fractures and
neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets
jammed into the upper jaw. Mouth guards are effective in moving soft
issue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and
bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear
orthodontic appliances.
Mouth protectors, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a
blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to
the soft tissues of the mouth. If you wear braces or another fixed
dental appliance on your lower jaw, a mouth protector is available for
these teeth as well.
A properly fitted mouth protector may be especially important for
people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face
could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouth
protector also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or
lips, limiting the risk of soft tissue injuries. Although mouth
protectors typically only cover the upper teeth, your dentist or
orthodontist may suggest that you use a mouth protector on the lower
teeth if you have braces on these teeth too. If you have a retainer or
other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.
Types of mouth guards
There are three types of mouth protectors:
Stock - Inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to
wear. Unfortunately, they often don't fit very well. They can be bulky
and can make breathing and talking difficult.
Boil and bite - Can be bought at many sporting goods
stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They
should be softened in water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the
shape of your mouth. If you don't follow the directions carefully you
can wind up with a poor-fitting mouth protector.
Custom-fitted - Made by your dentist for you
personally. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because
they are customized, they can offer a better fit than anything you can
buy off the shelf.
Serving Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Hartland Wisconsin, Bailey Family Dental is most concerned with your comfort. Hartland Dentists Drs Terese and Richard Bailey and their friendly staff will explain treatment options and give estimates before you begin your treatments. To learn more, feel free to go to our website at www.bailyfamilydental.com, or call us at 262-369-8633. Our office is located at 557 Cottonwood avenue, Hartland Wisconsin.